A year ago, you sent me away, and when I came back, I hoped I could
forgive and forget. However, nothing changed, except me. I have been
waiting for a year to say these words to you.
It has been a painful twelve months, knowing the man you really are.
I will no longer call the womanizing, business cheat, and basically
horrible person you’ve become my husband. The man I thought I knew
never existed. The fact is you lied about who you really were the entire
time we were together.
The joke is that I can’t be angry since I am a liar, too. I am not the perfect wife. I hid the parts of me that I knew you would never love away. I never truly believed you would love me if you knew who I really
was. Deep down, you knew this, right?
The misery you put me through was not worth any of the fine things
we had in life. I hope you treat the next one you catch you treat with more respect and love.
The divorce papers are on their way. I didn’t want anything from you,
but my lawyer pointed out that I deserved something for my years with
you. You didn’t make it to the top alone. Pay me in a lump sum or
monthly payments – your choice. This time, I am leaving on my terms.
~ Caitlyn Chase
I left my wedding band, checkbook, credit cards, and the keys on the counter next to the copies of the pictures Jack took for me. Of course, my lawyer had a
set to help with the settlement, but I had no need for them anymore. Today, I was putting Step Four into action. I was going to find Caitlyn Chase.
Finding Caitlyn
Twenty-Five
Relief flooded my soul when the plane lifted off. Nestled in the clouds,
a strong feeling of freedom overtook me. This was my chance to
release my pain from the past. Forgive and, each day, forget, more
and more.
Soon, you will be free, my inner voice cheered.
No, I countered. I am free.
The plane landed at the tiniest airport imaginable. I stepped off the plane onto a tarmac, not the comfort of a large terminal. The crisp air burned my nose.
I had not checked the weather. Curse of living in California. I learned to open
the door and look out to see what to expect. How easily I had forgotten the cold
of Colorado.
The walk from the gated landing area led me into a small building. Inside, a
sign with the words ‘Caitlyn Chase’ scribbled on it greeted me. The leathered cowboy holding it eyed me. His wrinkled skin, slender frame, and silver mustache told me he had to be over seventy years old.
Looking around, I felt overdressed in my designer clothes. I had not
considered where I was going.
“Are you Caitlyn?” Just as I told Thomas, not a smidge of a southern accent
came out of the man.
“I am.” I shivered. The freezing temperature was impacting my manners.
“I’m Ben Carver. Miss Vivian said you would be staying with us for a while,” he explained warmly. “Do you have any luggage?”
“I do have several bags,” I answered. “And there were quite a few boxes sent through the mail.”
